Tuesday, December 06, 2005

While reading a review of some software that I'll never use, written for an OS that I will probably never use again, I came across an image of a dog who had apparently appeared on the cover of a techno album (music I never listen to). Reckoning that a dog on the cover of a music album is funny stuff indeed, I clicked the link to check it out. Lo and behold, dogs are playing go!

Sunday, December 04, 2005

ChiyoDad has been doing a lot of goban research and has, after quite some time, made a decision on a really nice-looking table goban set from chinese importer Yellow Mountain Imports. While doing this research he came across a reasonably priced auction from the same vendor for a floor goban. Knowing that I have been in the market for one, he left a message on KGS and the rest is history. :)

And here is an image which I will augment as I take shipment and shoot my own photos:

The yunzi stones are biconvex which I have mixed feelings about. I really like the idea of having a single flat side based on the images I've seen of chinese pros using those flat sides to denote special meaning during a review. At the same time, I think biconvex probably feel better and look better. So, in the end, I am happy about the stones but have conveniently left myself something to complain about. :)

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Well, I had planned to try Vivace's espresso blend but quickly remembered that there's another local well-respected roaster / coffee shop whose beans I've never tried. Metropolis Coffee, who have a nice photo-laden website, produces Redline espresso. I believe the name is a reference to the Chicago (DA BEARS!) "El" train red line.

At any rate, running low on Black Cat, I placed my order online for a pound each of Redline and Redline Decaf on Tuesday morning. Wednesday evening, a package arrived with the 2 pounds (or more -- the bags seem larger) of coffee with a Tuesday roasting date. Ahh, the benefits of a local roaster! Included with those bags came a smaller sample size of their Schweik's blend (roasted 11/25) and a nice hand-written thank-you note.

Since I had already drunk a couple soy lattes that night (which is somewhat rare for me) I decided to wait until morning to try the Redline on a clean palate. First up, a double shot of espresso. I figured I'd try the Code Brown grinder settings (11 on my Rocky) and, first attempt, pulled a beautiful 28-second double shot, pictured below in the beautiful Intelligentsia demitasse (photo taken about a minute after). I don't quite have the vocabulary to describe the shot since there were some unique tastes but it was an excellent shot and I think it may be one of the best I've had anywhere! No bitterness, lots of body, and some interesting sweetness which is what I'm having trouble putting a word to.

Judging by the straight espresso, I thought this blend would make for a great soy latte. I was not disappointed. As with the shot, this was one of the best soy lattes I've ever had. Redline is most definitely a keeper and I can certainly imagine myself regularly drinking it. I look forward to tasting what the rest of the week has in store for these beans.